&nbspReflection: What Do Engineers Do? Part 1 - Section 4: Wrap-Up

My kiddos were absolutely fascinated by the whole idea that engineers do such interesting work! They actually had no idea that engineers do all of these things (and neither did I until I did the research for the video). I think bringing the real world into the lives of our children intrigues them so much, that it opens their minds for learning. Even my most struggling learners were glued to the screen and were listening intently. Everyone walked away with a new appreciation for engineers.

The chant is so catchy that I challenge you not to be singing it in the shower tomorrow! I kept singing it at home and drove my husband crazy! But that's exactly what I wanted the children to be doing, singing it so much they can't get it out of their head, all the while learning and remembering the steps of the engineering process. Even now, when I need to think of what to do, I just chant our little song for a quick reminder!

Get your kiddos excited and revved up for the engineering design process. They are going to love every minute of this unit. It sparks their interest knowing they have the ability to create something special, and yet that something can actually solve a problem. Ahhh…..the feeling of fulfillment is a wonderful thing!

Activity Description:

The children are asked what they think an engineer is since there are many misconceptions. Rather than tell them what an engineer is or does, the children will view two videos and draw their own conclusions. The children review the concept of engineering by using posters called “What Does An Engineer Do?” They will generalize that an engineer is a person who creates solutions to real-life problems.

NOTE: This lesson is the first part of a two part lesson introducing the children to engineering.

NGSS Connections:

In the NGSS the children must demonstrate the basic understanding of what an engineer does. They must replicate the steps engineers might go through, just at a second grade level. So this lesson prepares them by teaching them that an engineer helps solve problems by creating new solutions. Thus, this lesson focuses on the K-2-ETS1 standard.

Dragonfly TV Real Scientists Links--Each mini episode highlights an engineer. Each episode tells what the engineer does and then tells a bit about their path to becoming an engineer. Here are the 3 links used in this lesson that are about 2 minutes each:

Resources

To begin, I tell the students recent world events involving engineers solving a problem. Watching these short clips will help them to understand that engineers are people who help solve real-world problems in the world today. This is a stepping stone that will help them understand more about engineers and the engineering process, which in essence will help them work towards the engineering standards of the NGSS.

I was listening to someone talk about how their chair hurt their back. Then I started investigating and found out that engineers, called bioengineers are people who work to design chairs that fit your back better and are more comfortable. Here is the video that shows what bioengineers do. Watching this made me wonder, what do engineers do? Then I read about engineers creating paper that completely repels water. It could be used for packages so they don’t get wet in the rain. I heard someone say that they were a toyologist, which is an engineer who designs toys. Have you ever heard of a toyologist? Just watch this video to see what they do.

Then I really started wondering about what engineers do. Then I heard about an audio engineer. Watch this video clip to see what they do. I watched in awe and then wondered even more about what is it exactly that engineers do?"

How many of you have heard of a job called engineering? What do you think an engineer does?

I elicit their answers. I write down their ideas on a class What Does an Engineer Do? K-W-L chart on the board in the “K” section. Then I ask the students what they would like to learn about engineers. I add their ideas to the “W” section of the K-W-L chart.

I also ask the children one of the big ideas from the unit--How do engineers solve problems? To do this, I pull up the Big Idea Poster on the Smartboard. We take a few minutes to discuss their answers at this point in the learning. It helps me assess what they already know and what they need to learn. For more information on using Big Idea or Essential Questions, click here.

(In this part of the lesson I am careful not to “give away” too much information. I want the children to discover it on their own.)

Resources

I have the children come up to the front to watch the video titled “Mission Possible!" It is a 4 ½ minute video with a Mission Impossible theme. In the video, the children are given a mission of figuring out what engineers do. Real-life problems are given and then the solution that was created by an engineer. I think showing the children real people doing real jobs helps expose them to the idea that engineers are all around us and help us do many things. Knowing the vast array of jobs that engineers do helps build the foundation for the engineering standards.

We are going to watch two short videos that show some exciting and beneficial things that engineers do. I want you to be watching closely so you can answer the questions asked in the video.”

“Now we’re going to review some of the jobs that engineers do by viewing photos and reading a description about their jobs. As I am reading, I want you to think about what type of things engineers do. Even though each of these engineering jobs are different, they all share something in common. I want you to be a detective and see if you can figure it out.”

Next I show the students photos of real engineers and read the information given (see resource titled Real Life Examples of Engineers--Cards). After each card, we stop and discuss. When we have viewed all of them, we stop and discuss.

Were you a good detective? After viewing both clips and reviewing the cards, did you find out some things you didn't know about engineers? Were you surprised by any of the jobs they do?

Resources (1)

Resources

We have a short discussion of today's learning. I pull up the Big Idea Question. Our discussion focuses on a few main questions.

How do engineers solve problems? What did you learn about engineers? Do they do things you didn't know or expect?

We share and discuss their answers. The kiddos really soaked up a lot of information! I think putting the focus of engineers in the real-world context really intrigued my children. They could have talked about what they learned for the rest of the day!

I am looking for their ideas to boil down to the fact that engineers help solve people's problems! This helps build the foundation for the three engineering standards, which will be developed in subsequent lessons--such as designing a pollinator, building a bridge and designing a tower.

I can't wait until tomorrow since we are going to find our even more about engineers!

Jeri Faber:
Responding to Felisa Gibbs
Yes, I have an odd number this year, too! I just had one group each time that was composed of 3 kids, instead of two. This is how I did it--after the kids paired up, I partnered the extra child with a group of two (of my choice). Some rounds the kids automatically made a group of 3 so I didn't have to intervene. But each round I made sure that the group of 3 wrote the names on each of the papers. So instead of 1 name written at that specific time, the threesome had to have 2 names. Checking was really important since my children seemed to just write down one name. Overall, I love "Clock Buddies" (and so do the kids)! I use them everyday in my classroom. I've even thought about having them laminated for durability. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions! Have a great school year! |
3 months ago |
Reply

Felisa Gibbs:

Jeri question for you expert :) I was going to print your clock buddies and then realized I have an odd number of kids :()

of course someone might come...will then screw things up again but what do you recommend three kiddos together??